Mickey was born the eldest son to Gorman Steele and Melba Dean Pounders on May 5, 1954 in Alexandria, Louisiana. The family moved to Baton Rouge, LA in 1960 where they were part of the North Boulevard Church of Christ. Mickey graduated from Broadmoor High School followed by Harding University, earning bachelor and master's degrees in education. He married Tawna Jenkins in 1978 in Searcy, Arkansas where they welcomed their first son John Gorman in 1986. The couple lived in Searcy until moving to Baton Rouge, LA in 1992. There they welcomed their second son, James (Jimmy) Clark Pounders, in 1994.
Mickey taught middle school math for Bald Knob, AR schools, then served as a principal for McRae Elementary in Searcy. In Baton Rouge, he worked for the Louisiana State Board of Education and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Most recently, Mickey was an assessment consultant for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt publishing company.
He was an elder for the South Baton Rouge Church of Christ and board member for Camp Smiling Acres. He knew everyone, their families, their hopes, and their sorrows.

Never has any man lived this life better nor laid a firmer foundation for the life that is to come.

Mickey is survived by his wife, Tawna; sons, John Gorman and James Clark; father, Gorman Steele; and brothers, Jeffery and Neal Pounders.
Visitation will be held at South Baton Rouge Church of Christ, 8725 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA on Thursday, July 6, 2017 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. Visitation will resume on Friday, July 7, 2017 at South Baton Rouge Church of Christ from 9:00am until funeral service at 11:00am. Graveside Service will be Monday, July 10, 2017 at 9:30 AM at Spring Garden Cemetery near Russellville MO.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of Phillips Funeral Home of Eldon, MO.